Skip to main content

Is Bilbo Baggins' contract in 'The Hobbit' legally binding?

Is Bilbo Baggins' contract in 'The Hobbit' legally binding?

Share this story

The Hobbit
The Hobbit

Bilbo Baggins is made to sign a lengthy contract before setting out on his adventure with the company of dwarves in The Hobbit, and as it turns out, that contract isn’t entirely without legal merit. Lawyer James Daily has taken a look at the contract for Wired, breaking down the various clauses and waivers to see exactly what issues lie within. There are definitely some problems with the legal script: unusually, the company can decide on its own arbitrator in the event of any disputes, and it’s unclear whether the laws of The Shire or the laws of the Dwarven Kingdom apply to the contract. Daily does note, however, that it’s a surprisingly robust and well written contract given that the audience barely even sees it.